defend us.

Indeed, Sir, neither common Sense, nor Sense of any Kind, can possibly
suppose, That Acts of Kindness which have been, from the Beginning of the
World, the Cement of Friendship to all other People, should prove the
reverse to these People alone.

Had they been to us, as the Swallow, in Autumn, who forsakes all
Connections on the Approach of Inclemency, I should never have pleaded for
any Confidence in them. But a People, who, through a Winter of seventy
Years Continuance, have never failed, or forsaken, or given us Cause of
Offence, surely merit some Consideration, some grateful and chearing Ray
to warm them to a Sense that _Protestants_ are not, by Choice, of a cruel,
unforgiving, and malevolent Nature.

Lastly, Sir, as I know you to be a Gentleman of a communicative
Disposition, and that you were, formerly, fond of exhibiting the
Sentiments of some of your Friends; should you impart this Letter to any
of your popish Acquaintance, I doubt they might be apt to give me more
Thanks than I am conscious I deserve. It is, therefore, but commonly
honest, to advertise you, and them, that while I write in the Favour of
_Papists_, the Interest of _Protestants_ is never out of my Eye.

When I thought your Favourites most formidable, I shewed I did not fear
them; and now, that I think them impotent, let them not think I flatter.

What I have hitherto hinted is but a narrow opening to the Concerns and
Interests of an unhappy Country, whereof I have the Misfortune to be a
helpless, though loving, Member. To promote the Advantage of _Ireland_, in
any respect, would be, to me, the cardinal Point of the whole Compass of
my Ambition; and a subsequent Letter may shew how far my Observations
relate to the Decline, or Prosperity, of my Country, whenever you confer
the Pleasure of an Answer on,

_Dear_ SIR,
_Your truly affectionate_, &c.

FOOTNOTES

_ 1 Dublin_, 1753, _M. Reilly_, Editor.

2 This _Mac Con More Macnamara_, Duke of _Klan Cullane_, founded,
erected, and amply endowed the beautiful Abbey of _Quin_; as did
other Chieftains of his Name and Family, several Parochial Churches,
with a great Number of magnificent Castles.

_ 3 Seasonable Thoughts_, &c. published by _George Faulkner_; _the Case
of the Roman Catholics_, and _the Principles of the Roman
Catholics_, the two last published by _P. Lord_, in _Cook-street,
Dublin_.

4 To all the above P